Saturday, May 05, 2012

Flicking Through

In fact, not a great deal to comment on having flicked through the pages of our local 'soaraway' Thanet Gazette this morning.

There's a masked marvel in superhero costume, running around Ramsgate, artistically sprinkling silver glitter on dog poo, to highlight a prevalent problem; a gesture which Northwood councillor, Ian Driver describes as 'inspired'. I do suspect however, that rather more than a pocket-full of pixie dust is needed to deter some of the more aggressive looking dogs and their anti-social owners I see out walking on a regular basis. I spotted one large animal on the seafront at Birchington this week. I can't recall the breed but I do recognise it as the type you would not want to have anywhere near small children without being attached to a strong chain.

Why, I wonder, are so many people in Thanet now buying what I would call trophy or status dogs? Is this for self-defense in uncertain times or simply to intimidate their neighbours? In a recession, the cost of feeding such large dogs must be prohibitive, particularly as so many of the younger owners, I see out walking 'Buster' during working hours, must be on state benefits of one kind or another.

Back to the Gazette and 'Smudger' picked on John Worrow I see and not me for once, reporting on last week's stormy Birchington Parish Council meeting where he told the Chair: "I'm not an idiot, don't treat me as one." Apparently he has placed himself in charge of the Olympic torch visit, which is nice.

Ian Driver became rather hot under the collar at a comment made in one of my earlier blogs last week which remarked: "Every village has an idiot but only Birchington managed to elect one" and I might add that after Monday's somewhat bizarre mayoral election in Margate, there's quite ample evidence that the lunatics have taken control of the asylum.

Which of course, brings me neatly back to the subject of comment moderation. While I do moderate comments here, unlike other weblogs, I very rarely use it unless bad language or libel are involved. Exceptions of course are my good friend, Michael Child attempting to pull a thread over the edge of the Pleasurama cliff-face and Rick's often wild theories about the IRA and the Deal barracks bombing, rogue Freemasons and more.

Those readers that bother to visit Thanet (Tiny) Independent Group's rather bizarre weblog, which changes colours and fonts on a regular basis, will see that their best answer to comment moderation is to allow no comments at all, which conclusively proves that everyone agrees with them.

I recognise that some people may occasionally be offended by comments. We are, after all, a society that thrives on being offended at any opportunity and Cllr Driver more than most. However, I do retain a sense of humour and respect what little remains of free-speech when it is used in a satirical manner and I'm simply not going to switch-off comments here, because our tiny band of three local independent councillors want me to.

Finally, I have it reported from several reliable sources, the allegation that the editor of the local paper may be 'improving' Councillor Worrow's letters, because they are so poorly written. I for one, think that this is either pretty outrageous or outrageously funny, should it be true and anyone comparing and contrasting what they see in the paper and what they might read written elsewhere by John Worrow, can only conclude that the familiar childish style, syntax, spelling and use of the English language are quite remarkably different between the two.

Are such public-spirited secretarial services only available to one Party?

13 comments:

Disgusted from Birchington
said...

Simon you should read "letters" Worrow has had a pop at you as usual it is a load of rubbish from "el presidente" of the "tiny independent group" TIG, perhaps he is still searching for his bra as highlighted in smudger !!.

I'm coming round to the view that the best way to neutralise the Tiggywinkles is to largely ignore them. If you think about it, this is invariably an effective tactic with spoilt children and these three fit that description perfectly.The group and its power are of Clive's making. He might not have the backbone to deal with the problem but there are others in his group who must be more than a bit concerned. Leave them to deal with it.Best have a word with your leader over his last press release - it was "Militant Tendency", not "Tenancy".Two more Scobie thoughts from my 19 year old. Why would anyone with a Masters degree want to stay in Thanet? He is the usual hypocritical socialist, supporting the abolition of selective education whilst enjoying the advantages of an education at Dane Court, where he was known as Hooray Henry.

Yes soo agree with you on the matter of Dogs.I am terrified to walk my little dog(Non aggressive sweet and loving)in some places..Can't you lobby that all dogs Must be on leads in Public places and town centres,it spoils for me and my friends our lovely coastal walks...

I notice in the letter for his bestest friend and follower Will Scobie, Crusading Worrow doesn't have a problem with Mayoral candidates having any religious beliefs. Of course his liberality doesn't extend to the general population of Christians, Muslims and Jews etc who don't share his views on certain subjects. However like his mate Ian Driver and his bigotry and bad manners only extend to Christians! How brave!

I too noted the total hypocrisy of the Tinys on their blog. Didn't seem appropriate to mention it in your post announcing Brian's passing but I am appalled that they have no shame. When he was down Worrow and Co couldn't resist giving him a good kicking; I just hope that their enemies are no less kind when and if any of them fall ill.

"It is perfectly normal for letters sent to newspapers for publication to have their grammar and spelling improved, otherwise, in many cases, they would be unreadable."

I would agree with you but re-writing the content to make it appear more statesmanlike and less childishly incoherent - please see Cllr Worrow's weblog - does rather stretch the public-spirited intentions of the editor wouldn't you think?